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Evan BinkleyArt History and Museum Studies
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A Summer in Ghana: Heritage and Stakeholders at Elmina Castle
October 7, 2019
During this summer, I had the privilege to work throughout Ghana on several different projects. One of the most rewarding experiences during my time abroad was the opportunity to participate in the Elmina Field School. Representing a partnership between the University of Rochester and the University of Ghana, the field school focused on the site of Elmina Castle, which served for centuries as a centerpiece of the transatlantic slave trade. Over its history, Elmina functioned under Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupation and administration. It exists today as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site as well as an international destination for researchers and diaspora African-American tourists. The goal of my participation at Elmina was to collaborate with students and scholars alike to develop a more complete record of the castle’s intricate and complex past. I also was able to apply on-site training in archaeological methods and structural analysis to best inform the preservation of Elmina and its legacy.
However, due to Elmina’s status as a globally recognized cultural heritage site, considerations of preservation are particularly difficult to negotiate. As a result, the identity of the castle remains largely segmented across many cultural stakeholders. In addition to its protection under UNESCO guidelines and provisions, Elmina is also under the administration of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board (GMMB). Perceptions of the castle’s connection to the slave trade also differ between visiting tourists, who often seek out this legacy, and residents of the surrounding town, who are more likely to view Elmina’s transformation over time. The challenges of reconciling such differences in expectations and realities attest to the complicated future of Elmina’s past.
In response to such disparities in expectations, I worked to collaborate across sources of common ground to advocate for a future of conservation predicated on common interest. Elmina Field School archaeological excavations revealed that much of the castle remains vulnerable to greater structural degradation and collapse. Apart from preservational differences of opinion, most would agree that further attention should be directed to sustained financial support. While conducting research of this nature, I also had the opportunity to shadow several tours of the castle and learn from the reflections of both informational guides and castle visitors. The opportunity to communicate with others across stakeholder perspectives was incredibly rewarding.
At the conclusion of the field school, I had the opportunity to present a summary of my research and experiences with other students to GMMB and Elmina Castle tour guides. The presentation served as a catalyst for further discussion and the proposal of new partnerships connected to the field school. The complexity of a cultural heritage site, like Elmina Castle, speaks to the importance of collaborative efforts to more concretely envision its future. I look forward to the opportunity to lead endeavors of this nature.
However, due to Elmina’s status as a globally recognized cultural heritage site, considerations of preservation are particularly difficult to negotiate. As a result, the identity of the castle remains largely segmented across many cultural stakeholders. In addition to its protection under UNESCO guidelines and provisions, Elmina is also under the administration of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board (GMMB). Perceptions of the castle’s connection to the slave trade also differ between visiting tourists, who often seek out this legacy, and residents of the surrounding town, who are more likely to view Elmina’s transformation over time. The challenges of reconciling such differences in expectations and realities attest to the complicated future of Elmina’s past.
In response to such disparities in expectations, I worked to collaborate across sources of common ground to advocate for a future of conservation predicated on common interest. Elmina Field School archaeological excavations revealed that much of the castle remains vulnerable to greater structural degradation and collapse. Apart from preservational differences of opinion, most would agree that further attention should be directed to sustained financial support. While conducting research of this nature, I also had the opportunity to shadow several tours of the castle and learn from the reflections of both informational guides and castle visitors. The opportunity to communicate with others across stakeholder perspectives was incredibly rewarding.
At the conclusion of the field school, I had the opportunity to present a summary of my research and experiences with other students to GMMB and Elmina Castle tour guides. The presentation served as a catalyst for further discussion and the proposal of new partnerships connected to the field school. The complexity of a cultural heritage site, like Elmina Castle, speaks to the importance of collaborative efforts to more concretely envision its future. I look forward to the opportunity to lead endeavors of this nature.